“Arktika” and “Sibir” have set sail and the two giant ships are exploring the Arctic and paving the way for increased trade between Europe and Asia. The Northern Sea Route is expected to give the Suez Canal a serious run for its money.

On Oct. 27, 1962, the world was close to a full-scale confrontation between the two nuclear superpowers. As the U.S. Navy pursued Soviet submarines armed with nuclear torpedoes off the coast of Cuba, only the composure of Captain Vasily Arkhipov saved the world.

Traveling abroad in the 1930s was rare for Soviet citizens, and only very important artistic figures were allowed to see Europe and America. One of these was the famous artist, Alexander Deineka, who created many paintings that showed his impressions of the U.S. during the Great Depression.